Advancing Encouragement By:
Bishop James Jr. Hairston
PASSION WEEK FRIDAY (DAY OF CRUCIFIXION)
MATTHEW: 26:41: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
It is hard to imagine this scene early in the morning before sunrise while it was still a touch of darkness with dew on the land. Jesus Christ in agony He prayed more intensely with great sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44) falling on the ground. You can only imagine the intensity of this prayer because of what He was about to endure. The sins of the entire world was about to be imputed to Him not of His actions but of His willingness to take on this monstrosity of the worlds transgressions upon Himself being portrayed as a lamb to be slain for a sin offering on top of an altar! Now picture that for yourself. Can you endure such a task? Of course not but I too would have been sweating drops of blood meaning His sweat was thick as blood! Not only that, He knew of the horrible beating or Roman scourging that he was about to endure that the Romans use for torturing unruly slaves or prisoners for withholding information and on criminals condemned to death by crucifixion.. He knows about the Roman Cat-of-Nine-Tails that was used for this purpose, a 3-12 strap whip with embedded, nails and bone. Hence, Jesus Christ may have been going through two different intensely forms of thoughts. The two thoughts are what was said earlier, the thoughts of having the worlds transgressions imputed on Him and the thought of the Roman scourging. Why, it was known by the world of that time that some people did not even survive the scourging. I QUOTE A 3rd CENTURY HISTORIAN - EUSABIOUS OF CEASARE. ‘Their bodies were frightfully lacerated. Christian martyrs in Smyrna were so torn by the scourges that their veins were laid bare, and the inner muscles, sinews, even entrails, were exposed’. By studying history with the Holy Bible I can see why Jesus said that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. In the text Jesus had just finished praying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt in verse 39, and with great sweat drops of blood. Jesus Christ Spirit was willing but His flesh was weak. Why, in Luke 22:43 an angel came to Him from Heaven to strengthen Him. Have you ever been anguished so great that you became weak and frail while in prayer? The pain was so deep that it cut like a knife? Whatever you are in anguish about while in prayer just remember what our Lord and Savior went through and what He was about to endure. I believe that the Spirit of our Living God will comfort and strengthen you like the angel did for Christ. Remember what Jesus told His disciples a day before during the Passover that I am sending you a Comforter and He said let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid, John 14: 26-27. Today my friend He is saying the same thing to you and even if your flesh is weak but your spirit is willing to endure and to accomplish the great things God has in-store for you in Jesus Name…
James Jr. Hairston